Microsoft Partners with the NFL to Create NFL Now

The big game is nearly upon us, but it's never too early to start looking toward the future to ensure NFL fans can always get the information they want quickly and easily. That's why we're so happy to announce the creation of NFL Now, a personalized video service providing fans with the NFL news, analysis and highlights across their Internet-connected devices. This innovative and ground-breaking new digital offering will launch this summer ahead of the start of the 2014 NFL season.

NFL Now will be personalized for each fan’s interests, allowing them to follow the NFL how they want, where they want, when they want. Users will indicate their favorite team, fantasy players and which videos they like and dislike. The content stream will dynamically personalize each user’s viewing experience to deliver a customizable news, analysis and highlights offering for NFL fans around the world. Additionally, NFL Now will provide users with access to the deepest vault of on-demand NFL video content available anywhere.

“We are always looking for ways to better serve our fans, and NFL Now will do just that,” said Commissioner Goodell. “Our media strategy has been a key component in the growth and success of the NFL over the past 50 years, and we fully expect NFL Now to be a big part of that initiative in the future.”

“The growth in video consumption habits on Internet-connected devices, whether smartphones, tablets, PCs or consoles, makes the creation of NFL Now the logical next step in the evolution of NFL Media,” said Rolapp. “NFL Now gives us the opportunity to utilize the one-to-one digital relationship to deliver our fans the most relevant content to them at the times and on the devices where they want to consume it. Furthermore, this new digital offering provides our trusted partners and sponsors a valuable new vehicle to reach our passionate fan base.”

To learn more about NFL Now, we spoke with Wil Mozell, General Manager, Xbox Entertainment Studios.

Xbox Wire: What does NFL Now mean for Xbox One owners?

Wil Mozell: NFL Now will be a fantastic addition to our NFL offering on Xbox One. We will integrate NFL Now into our Xbox and Windows products for the 2014 NFL season, which will include a robust selection of NFL content from new catalogues such as NFL Films and every NFL team.

Xbox Wire: What sort of interactive experiences can we expect from NFL Now?

Wil Mozell: Xbox One will continue to be the ONE premium TV destination that delivers all the NFL content and interactive experiences that matter to the fan, including integrated NFL.com Fantasy Football and personalized highlight reels. Adding NFL Now will provide even more NFL content, enabling us to create new and innovative experiences for NFL fans only available on Microsoft devices.

Xbox Wire: Most of these types of things just custom-tailor content based on team; how does NFL differentiate itself?

Wil Mozell: NFL Now is the first video service to provide a wide selection of content based on the NFL fan’s preferences, including NFL Teams, NFL Films, Fantasy and newly created NFL Network content.

Xbox Wire: How will the experiences differ on Xbox One and Microsoft Surface? Will there be any sort of interaction between the two?

Wil Mozell: Microsoft has the unique opportunity to create Interactive experiences on devices like Xbox One and Surface, providing best-in-class living room experiences. The unique capabilities of Xbox One and Surface allow us to provide the most complete way to enjoy the NFL where both devices will be connected and put the fan in control of their viewing experience.

Xbox Wire: When can we expect to learn more about NFL Now and when will it be launching?

Wil Mozell: NFL Now is launching this Summer ahead of the 2014 NFL Season and we’ll have more to share in the near future.

Xbox Wire: How closely did Microsoft work with the NFL in the creation of NFL Now?

Wil Mozell: Our innovative NFL app on Xbox One is a strong example of the partnership between Microsoft and the NFL, with NFL Now providing even more ways for the fan to enjoy the NFL on Microsoft devices.

For more information on NFL Now and to sign up for updates about this new service, fans can visit: nfl.com/now.